[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, the People Power Party candidate running in the by-election for Seongnam Bundang-gap in Gyeonggi Province, criticized Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate running in Incheon Gyeyang-eul, on the 11th, saying, "He fled to Incheon, where he has no ties at all, to avoid me."
Ahn appeared on Channel A News that day and said, "The very fact that he is running in Incheon will make people not see (Lee) as a presidential candidate in the future."
Ahn stated, "I think (Lee) might be worried that if he faces me head-on and the result is bad, he will never be able to make a comeback."
When asked what role President Yoon Seok-yeol urged him to play, Ahn replied, "There is an urgent need to win the election," and added, "As someone who helped establish this government in a way, I have decided to throw myself into the success of the government."
Regarding the local election outlook, Ahn assessed, "It is a tight situation like the last presidential election. Honestly, it is not easy." When asked if he plans to challenge for party leadership after the by-election, he said, "I would be happy just to win this time," and added, "Regardless of party leadership, I think the party needs to change."
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